Fierce Fighting In Northern Sri Lanka

BBC world Service News, 9 January 1997

Fierce fighting has broken out in Northern Sri Lanka
where separatists Tamil Tiger rebels are reported to
have begun an offensive against government forces.
Military official say that Tigers are attacking with
artillery and mortar fire in an area between the
army Garrison Elephant Pass and the town of
Paranthan on the northern main land, which was only
recently recaptured by government forces.
Reinforcement have been sent and the army says it
is holding back the rebels.

Elephant Pass on the Jaffna peninsula provides the
only link to the mainland.